Family Fun & Dining Destination Now Open in Houston

Palace Social is breathing new life into the Bellaire-area’s shuttered Palace Bowling Lanes. Located at 4191 Bellaire, the multifaceted entertainment stop in now open and features bowling, food, craft cocktails, a modern arcade, an esports lounge, golf simulators and a virtual reality arena.

With a menu designed by chef Ryan Hildebrand (formerly of Triniti and FM Kitchen) and prepared by executive chef Efrain Villareal (formerly of Tony’s Mexican Kitchen), Palace Social serves an eclectic mix of southern-inspired, American-fusion fare. Starters include variations on quesadillas such as RC Ranch Texas Wagyu steak with a Oaxaca/Monterrey jack blend, wings, a take on Frito pie with Shiner Bock chili and a nacho plate dressed with Cuban sandwich toppings like pulled pork, ham and mustard. The menu also has a handful of customizable salads, a quinoa bowl and more than half a dozen flatbread pizzas, including The Bluebell with speck, Red Anjou pears, white sauce, arugula, blue cheese, and Texas honey.

There also eight different sandwiches including the BBLT with the extra “b” representing fried bologna, which is added to applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, a house sauce, and two slices of Texas toast. The Palace Bowl Burger pairs Hereford ground chuck with bacon and cheddar gravy.

The menu rounds out with hearty dishes such as Italian favorites, spaghetti and vegetarian lasagna, and southern comfort food like hand-battered chicken fried steak with sausage gravy and Breadman Co. Texas toast and New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp and corn fritter biscuits served with pepper jack grits, fried okra sticks and grilled corn succotash.

Palace Social also features an entire dessert station with malted milkshakes, cookies, sundaes and brownies.

Bowling alleys are known more for Jack and Coke than craft cocktails, but Palace Social shifts the paradigm. The owners brought in Jennifer Caldwell (formerly Goodnight Charlie’s as beverage director) to create a lengthy menu of cocktails, beer, cider and wine.

Currently, the entertainment center has three frozen drinks, including a classic Margarita, a cherry limeade, and the Palace Belini, with Irish whisky, sparkling wine, peach and orange flavors. The bar also a few chilled ranchwaters and highballs on tap. Plus, there are nearly a dozen classic and house cocktails on the menu. Classics include a Negroni and a Manhattan, while house specialties include the Pale Russian, which combines vodka, chicory liqueur, vanilla and coconut milk, and the Social Club, which is similar to a raspberry daiquiri with aquafaba to give it a thickened texture. There is also the option for guests to put any spirit into a sour or smash.

Beer, wine and cider fans are in luck. There is an extensive beer and cider list, that puts a heavy emphasis on local breweries. Selections range from pitchers of Saint Arnold Lawnmower or Houston Cider Company Cherry Cider to cans of Spindletap Hot Gusher IPA or Ace Guava Cider. And there is something else not found in most bowling allies, a large selection of wine by the glass and bottle.

Keeping to the spirit of its predecessor, Palace Social features eight visually crisp bowling lanes. The arcade room, following suit with current trends, is filled with mostly brief, prize and electronic ticket-based games. Much like other arcades, the tickets accumulate on the player’s cards and can be traded for prizes. Mixed in with these are a handful of driving and shooting-based games.

The centerpiece of the game room is a full-body VR arena. Players are positioned on small platforms and put into various battle scenarios. Other attractions include rooms housing video golf simulators and an interactive theater-style ride. Finally, Palace Social touts an entire room dedicated to PC gaming, with several professional-grade setups.

Palace Social’s hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 3 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

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